Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Molecular Testing of Lung Cancers
Hyo Sup Shim1, Yoon-La Choi2, Lucia Kim3
1Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Targeted therapies guided by molecular diagnostics have become a standard treatment of lung cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are currently used as the best predictive biomarkers for EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and ALK inhibitors, respectively. Besides EGFR and ALK, the list of druggable genetic alterations has been growing, including ROS1 rearrangements, RET rearrangements, and MET alterations. In this situation, pathologists should carefully manage clinical samples for molecular testing and should do their best to quickly and accurately identify patients who will benefit from precision therapeutics. Here, we grouped molecular biomarkers of lung cancers into three categories-mutations, gene rearrangements, and amplifications-and propose expanded guidelines on molecular testing of lung cancers.
Insights
Molecular diagnostics guide lung cancer treatment. This study categorizes biomarkers like mutations and rearrangements, proposing updated guidelines for precision medicine in lung cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
- Genetics
Background:
- Targeted therapies are standard for lung cancer, guided by molecular diagnostics.
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are key predictive biomarkers.
- The landscape of druggable genetic alterations in lung cancer is expanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose expanded guidelines for molecular testing of lung cancers.
- To categorize molecular biomarkers into mutations, gene rearrangements, and amplifications.
- To aid pathologists in identifying patients for precision therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review and categorization of known molecular biomarkers in lung cancer.
- Grouping biomarkers into mutations, gene rearrangements, and amplifications.
- Development of proposed guidelines for molecular testing strategies.
Main Results:
- Established three main categories for molecular biomarkers: mutations, gene rearrangements, and amplifications.
- Highlighted the growing list of actionable genetic alterations beyond EGFR and ALK.
- Emphasized the critical role of pathologists in sample management and timely molecular testing.
Conclusions:
- Updated molecular testing guidelines are essential for effective lung cancer precision medicine.
- Comprehensive molecular profiling is crucial for identifying patients eligible for targeted therapies.
- Pathologists play a vital role in the accurate and efficient delivery of precision oncology.
